Asteri Navigation Launches X-Series of Wearable GNSS Receivers

Asteri Navigation has introduced a new line of rugged, compact and fully integrated GNSS receivers on 15 November at the 2016 Autodesk University in Las Vegas. Designed for geospatial field data collection and inspection applications that require high-accuracy positioning, the Asteri X-Series receivers are light enough to be mounted to external sensors or worn on the body or arm.

Asteri Navigation debuted the affordable X-1 and X-2 receivers at Autodesk University (AU), which ran from 15-17 November at The Venetian in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. The X-3 is scheduled for release in December 2016.

The compact Asteri receivers were designed with safety and ease of use in mind. Each device weighs just 320 gram with the 12-hour lithium battery. And their 2.8-inch by 5.4-inch size allows them to fit safely in shoulder or arm pouches. The internal single-frequency antenna enables users to capture accuracies of well under 10 cm with RTK/VRS corrections. This integrated design allows users to work in difficult terrain without worrying about equipment and antennas getting snagged or broken.

RTK and CRS

Engineered to provide centimeter-level accuracy with Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) or Virtual Reference Station (CRS) correction when connected to an external antenna, the Asteri GNSS receivers support a generic NMEA 0183 GNSS data protocol. This makes them compatible with data collection and field mapping applications supporting the same protocol and ideal for users who want to develop their own software applications for inspection and GIS data capture activities.

The new receivers can communicate via Bluetooth or cable with most popular devices used for field data collection, including utility line locators, ground penetrating radar, data loggers, laser rangefinders, smartphones, and tablets. Asteri expects the X-Series will be used extensively in mapping and survey applications related to asset management, pipeline operation, utility construction, forestry, electric staking, and underground utility location.

For users needing higher accuracy, an external multi-frequency antenna can be added to the provided port on the receiver. In addition, the Asteri X-3 will be compatible with Atlas GNSS satellite-based real-time correction services worldwide.